From MAP’s Tea Reds, Ferrous Black exhibition | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The two-day Art is Life annual festival organized by the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP) from December 30 brings together art, music and culture in a myriad of forms that will cater to varying tastes.
“MAP is strongly committed to the arts and we believe that the collection at the museum belongs to everyone. An event like this gives us an opportunity to democratize the museum-going culture,” says Abhinandita Mathur, festival director of MAP.
As festivals are a departure from the norm, “We’re looking at Kala Jeevan Hai as a break from the routine of the museum and looking forward to lots of fun and participation with different things in the arts,” she adds.
Abhinandita and her team have organized events over a period of two days that fall into five categories – workshops, performances, film screenings, guided walks and talks and panel discussions.
Art and Photography Museum Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The program is structured to include a wide range of visitors, and to this end, the team has compiled programs that will focus on people’s passions and their relationship with art. “For example, there will be Bengaluru hobbyists like birders club, an astronomy club and a panel discussion for quizzers. The city is known for its hobbyists and the name of this panel is Beyond Nine to Five. It’s inspiring to see how people with daily jobs take out time for their interests and create a community of like-minded people.
Another interesting panel discussion is with Picture House and family-owned photo studios like EGK & Sons that have been in Bengaluru since the early 1900s. “These are not just personal histories, but where personal histories merge with the history of the city through photographs, anecdotes and more,” she says.
The many performances from different genres will definitely attract music lovers. Among them is a recital by the Bangalore Harmonica Club, which is “a great example of how art brings people together in an ongoing way. The artists are from different ages and different walks of life who are committed to art, and by finding a common ground they are finding a way to balance their lives and pursue their hobbies,” she adds. .
“This is one of the objectives of the festival – to honor art lovers in the city, whoever they are, who may not be limited to the known confines of the art world, the museum economy or the art sector.”
From MAP’s The Forgotten Souvenir Exhibition. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In keeping with the museum’s permanent exhibition on women and women’s representation in art, other entertainment segments will feature Singer Rekha Bhardwaj’s Voice of Women.
Film lovers will find MAP’s collection of film posters, lobby cards, LP records and cassette covers fascinating, especially the old-style photo studio with cutouts and practical sessions in poster making. Also included are the works of filmmaker Amit Dutta as well as documentaries on artists, sculptors, musicians and others by the National Film Development Chambers. “This includes a film on MF Hussain and another film made on him,” says Abhinandita.
For technophiles there will be digital puzzles, a holographic experience, electronic noise art and much more to enjoy.
She says, “With this festival, the museum is honoring fellow art lovers and moving away from its normal routine to something more celebratory in nature, and it is opening up different things to people of different tastes ”
During the festival, MAP will also launch a new exhibition titled, The Forgotten Souvenirs, which will showcase mica paintings made by Indian artists during the colonial period. Which will remain on display till 23 February 2025.
Art for Life will be organized by the Museum of Art and Photography on November 30 and December 1. Admission free, but registration is required for select workshops. For event schedule visit www.map-india.org.
published – November 28, 2024 03:50 PM IST
